A 98-year-old man who is the last surviving World War II veteran from the Seneca Nation's Allegany Territory in Cattaraugus County was recently inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame. Ralph Elliot Bowen was inducted by State Senator George Borrello during a ceremony at the Seneca-Allegany Event Center on October 2nd. Bowen, who turned 98 in August, fought in the European Campaign as an aerial gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, serving from 1941-1945 to liberate France and Europe from Nazi occupation. He was a member of the 15th Air Force's 450th Bombardment Group, 723rd Bombardment Squadron. The unit flew missions over France, Austria, Germany, the Balkans, and Greece. Borrello said, "I am honored to be able to recognize Ralph Bowen for his service during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army within weeks of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. When he walked into that U.S. Army recruiting office in Buffalo, he didn't know what dangers he'd face or if he would ever return home. All he knew was that America needed his help and he was willing to risk his life for the sake of liberty and freedom." Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr., one of the dignitaries at the ceremony, says Bowen's entire life has been one of service to his community whether as a five-term member of the Seneca Nation Tribal Council, a Seneca Nation Marshal, as a judge on the Nation's Peacemakers Court and Surrogate Court or pastor of Red House Baptist Church. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Assemblyman Joe Giglio and a representative from Congressman Tom Reed's office.
Pictured, from left to right: Rebecca Bowen, New York State Senator George Borrello, Alita Bowen, Dennis Bowen, and Ralph Bowen (seated). Photo by State Senator George Borrello's Office
